Queen Mary University of London History and Politics

History and Politics

LV21 BA (Hons) 3 years

Overview

History at Queen Mary spans a range of historical approaches and periods. You could study the Black Death, Women and Gender in Medieval Islam, and the Crusades. Or in the modern era you will examine the social, technological and cultural forces that shaped our world. You could investigate topics such as the portrayal of the face in Western art and medicine, the representation of war in contemporary British popular culture or the lifestyle and values of Victorian Britain.

Why study History and Politics at Queen Mary?

In the 2016 National Student Survey,Queen Mary 96% of History and Politics students said that staff are good at explaining things. 91% said staff have made the subject interesting.

In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014), the research environment in the School of History at Queen Mary was ranked among the top 5 departments in the UK. Our academics are internationally renowned in their fields, and our track record in both research and teaching is excellent. We count the former President of the Royal Historical Society and six fellows of British Academy among our number.

Our staff regularly contribute to academic and public life with books, journal papers, and media broadcasts. Broadcasts from History staff include: BBC Two series Ian Hislop’s a Stiff Upper Lip-An Emotional History of Britain, a series in which Dr Thomas Dixon was a consultant and interviewee. BBC Two’s Behind Closed Doors and At Home with the Georgians and BBC Radio 4’s Voices from the Old Bailey by Professor Amanda Vickery. Professor Julian Jackson delivered a programme on Charles de Gaulle called Monsieur Non for Archive on 4; and Dr Tom Asbridge developed and presented The Crusader’s Lost Fort for BBC2’s Timewatch.

Our intellectual diversity is a key feature of our community. This will enable you to study political history alongside the history of art or film. By following cultural and intellectual themes you could investigate topics as diverse as: the lives of Oscar Wilde; the representation of war in contemporary British popular culture; or the Medieval Islamic world.

You will have membership to the Queen Mary Library and the University of London Library, Senate House, both of which have extensive collections. You will also enjoy reading access to the other college libraries within the University of London, and can take advantage of Queen Mary’s London location and ready access to a wealth of other libraries, museums and archives.

In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014), the School of Politics and International Relations was rated very highly for the quality of our research. Our staff have diverse research interests, and this is reflected in the choice of modules available to students.

There are huge benefits to studying History and Politics in London, with national political institutions, party headquarters, high-profile international organisations and think-tanks all based here. We are home to the Mile End Institute, which is a forum for the exchange of ideas between government, policy makers, civil servants, and students. Through the Mile End Institute, we have a range of high-profile and inspiring speakers who come to campus. Speakers have included Yvette Cooper MP, Lord Heseltine, Lord Owen, Alistair Campbell, Baroness Williams, Dame Tessa Jowell. There is also a student-run politics society who organise debates and events of their own.

Study abroad

You can choose to apply for a four-year version of this degree with a full year abroad. We have links with universities around the world, including Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia (specific partnerships for each programme may vary).

While there are no extra tuition fees associated with these placements abroad, you will need to cover the cost of your transport to your destination and your living expenses, including accommodation.